you decide if it's real

Chapter 10

Disclaimer: The whole chapter is in Erika's point of view.

I've fallen in love with him. I can't stop thinking about him. Everywhere I go, I see Jake.

* Two weeks later*

Jake is in New York right now for a business meeting but i can't stop thinking about what we told each other. It's been 14 days without him.. I can't wait until he comes back.

*an hour later*

Jake texts me that he is outside and I immediately drop everything i'm doing (nonchalantly, of course, can't have anyone assuming things). I go outside and watch as his uber pulls up. He gets out and runs to me with his vlog camera and gives me a shower of kisses. I didn't know what to think or do at this point. He didn't need to vlog this part but he did. Is it a cover up for him to be able to kiss me? I don't know. I guess it's time to address this.

-

I decided to wait until he was settled in and had put his camera down. I knocked on his door and waited for a response casually. As he opened the door, I got a a text message from Tessa saying she had heard a girl in Jake's room while he was in there. It made sense, but at the same time, it didn't. He had only been home for 3 hours.. would he have a girl over? How did I miss that?

-

"Hey Erika! I've missed you so much!" He approaches for a hug but I back away. He seems confused, but imagine me. My best friend just told me something and I don't know what to believe. "Hey Jake, I've missed you more" I slightly look away. "..you don't even know how long these fourteen days have been without you". He softly puts his hands on my cheeks and frowns. "What's wrong?". I start turn around to leave, but I end up stopping in my tracks. I close the door and turn to him. "Was there someone else here?". Jake looks taken aback from the question. He has a confused expression and with a rush tone says, "woah woah, what are you talking about?". Tears start to slowly form around my eyes as he gulps. "So there was?". At this point, I sound a mess. My voice was so weak and low. He sat down on his bed and motioned me to sit down next to him. I sat rather far from him and sighed. "Who told you that?" ... I decide whether or not to spill my source. "Jake, I don't know if I want to pretend anymore-" He cuts me off with a kiss and finally lets me breathe. "I am deeply in love with you". He tells me to put on a casual outfit and bring a hoodie.

-

On purpose, I bring my favorite hoodie from his merch store. We get into his Tesla and start driving around for what seems like forever. We get to a beach and I get slightly confused. "Why did you bring me here?". " Listen Erika, like I said at home, i love you , but we can't be more than on camera lovers". I'm at a loss of words. All i could do is cry right now and all i want to do is escape from here. "Erika, please don't cry. It's not because of you, really. There's just always been an emotional block and i'm sorry". I let there be silence so I could have enough time to think about this and really process this. I just want to go home. I want to off the radar and never come back. "Take me home". Jake looks desperate as he pleads, "Erika, please let me explain".

" Take me home or i'll take myself." He looks at me with defeat and gets in the car. The car ride back home is quiet but I finally felt at peace. I didn't want to show him that I was weak without him, when I was.